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MANILA, Philippines – Two suspected members of the ‘Basag Salamin’ gang of car thieves, known for their style of breaking into cars by smashing the windows, were arrested by the police for gunrunning in two separate operations in Quezon City, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said.
Police identified the first arrested suspect as Aldrin Grego, 25, who was previously arrested for theft and robbery.
In a statement Wednesday, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad said Grego was nabbed during a police operation at about 12:30 a.m. along Roosevelt Ave., in Barangay (village) San Antonio.
Recovered from the suspect were four caliber .38 revolvers with 10 live ammunition, one 9mm bullet, and four cal. 22 bullets.
Following an intelligence report, operatives carried out a separate operation at Barangay Apolonio Samson at around 3:00 p.m. on Monday and Ryan Castro, 33.
Castro is also a suspected member of the Basag Salamin group, the NCRPO said.
Seized from Castro were a .38-caliber revolver, 13 bullets, and a motorcycle.
The two suspects will be facing charges for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act.
Police said Castro will be facing an additional charges for violating Republic Act 10883, or The New Anti-Carnapping Law of the Philippines, and Article 304 (Possession of Picklocks or Similar Tools) of the Revised Penal Code, according to the NCRPO.
Natividad said anti-crime operations are being intensified by the police to maintain peace and order in light of the upcoming national and local elections on May 9.
“I commend the intensified implementation of anti-criminality campaign plotted by the elements of QCPD and RSOG which aims to ensure our community’s safety and security, especially as we come closer to the day of the local and national elections,” said Natividad.
“Certainly, our men are heeding our call for them to ensure that they were providing a dependable and credible police force to the community with unquestionable discipline,” he added. — Jericho Zafra, INQUIRER.net intern